Has anybody ever used the VELBON ULTRASTICK L50 monopod? I am thinking of buying it, as an 'always carry around help', when the need arises... since Gitzo looks excellent but rather expensive for me ...a.

I have a nice monopod (it's always in the car and I can't remember the make right now) that I've used once in a while. But just a week or so ago I did a series of test shots and I found that I swayed MORE when I used the monopod. For me, the better option was to open the aperture and get a faster shutter speed. Of course, the best would be sufficient shutter speed on a stable platform. Just saying that a monopod is not the instant cure-all to shaky that a tripod is. Some practice and experimentation is required.

I have a nice monopod (it's always in the car and I can't remember the make right now) that I've used once in a while. But just a week or so ago I did a series of test shots and I found that I swayed MORE when I used the monopod. For me, the better option was to open the aperture and get a faster shutter speed. Of course, the best would be sufficient shutter speed on a stable platform. Just saying that a monopod is not the instant cure-all to shaky that a tripod is. Some practice and experimentation is required.

Truth. Check here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degrees_of_freedom_(mechanics)

The monopod restricts just 1 of the 3 translation degrees of freedom (there're also 3 rotation degrees of freedom). So, as you camera is usually at 1.60-1.80 meters from the earth, it's possible that you sway a lot and you get almost nothing in terms of stabilizing.

The best way to use a monopod is to rest it to something, a tree, a pole, something fixed. Even yourself if you have nothing to help around. That way you restrict much more degrees of freedom and the monopod becomes really useful.

yeah monopods definately work its pretty easy to keep camera and even a big lens pretty stable when your not having to actually support its weight - you can use a very light touch so when a tripod is to clumby to carry around a monopod is a great choice for getting steady images